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Originally posted by DG1
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When it comes to urban music these days it's simple - there's Beyonce and then there's everyone else.
Her first Australian concert on the new Mrs Carter Show world tour was truly something to Bey-hold.
It was filled with non-stop 'because I can' moments that Beyonce makes look effortless.
And an energy and natural talent which would embarrass most of her contemporaries.
"This is not the show for you to sit down and be cool," Beyonce warned the adoring crowd early on.
Very few seats were used.
Watching Beyonce transcend from star to artist has been fascinating. She was at the top of her game when she sacked her father as manager and officially took over creative control.
The resulting album, 2011's 4 did more than merely aim for the charts again.
Fans thought Beyonce would have a new album out in time for this 2014 world tour. Nope.
It's not right so it's not coming out yet. Then again it could be ready to release next week. Such is the mysterious, spontaneous new Beyonce.
Likewise her latest tour has a superstar budget and epic production, but with a maverick creative streak.
The show looks incredible, with state of the art visuals.
But it's the personal touches that make it special - bringing back the all girl band, mixing Bitter Sweet Symphony into If I Were a Boy and paying tribute to her heroes Whitney Houston and Donna Summer.
She's fierce street dancer one minute for Diva, Vegas disco showgirl for Party the next. And there's no holding back letting the dancers do the heavy lifting. And no letting her intense dancing stop her vocal power. Her concert is a master class in performance.
The set list is bold - there's chart toppers (Crazy in Love, Irreplaceable, Baby Boy, Naughty Girl, Survivor) but it's far from a lazy greatest hits show.
4 provides some of the best moments - from the unbridled old school funk of Love on Top to the goosebump-creating emotional vocals on 1+1, as delivered atop a grand piano.
Just after delivering the perfect pop of Crazy in Love Beyonce notes "In ten years time y'all say 'I was at Beyonce concert'." Because she can - and she's right.
With Pink and now Beyonce, we've seen two young women skyrocketing the bar for live entertainment this year.
